Red Canyon Israel - Our unique tour in Wadi Shani

From Eilat, we set off north in our rental car to the Red Canyon in Israel. After just 25 minutes on Highway 12, we reached the turnoff to the Red Canyon Israel, which is well signposted (including on Google Maps). There’s a parking area directly at the top of the road and another one just before the entrance to the Red Canyon. We drove along the gravel road to the second parking lot because we didn’t want to leave the car so conspicuously on the main road.

What else you should know:

Beautiful drone shots

But before we even got there, we had to take a short break. There wasn’t a soul in sight, so we couldn’t resist sending the drone into the air. Viewing the landscapes from above gives us, and you readers, completely new perspectives. We took some incredibly great photos and videos and then continued on. All information about flying drones in Israel can be found here.

driving-israel-rental-car-desert

At the parking lot, there’s a well-structured hiking map that shows all the trails. It’s actually impossible to get lost there. We parked the car, grabbed our backpack, camera, and provisions, and set off. It was already just before 9 a.m., but we couldn’t spot any other visitors or cars. Lucky for us!

The beautiful Red Canyon in Israel

Various trails lead to the Red Canyon. From the parking lot, we took the green and white marked trail, which initially winds slightly through an increasingly narrow wadi (valley/gorge). Suddenly and unexpectedly, we encountered some ibexes, who weren’t bothered by us. Shortly before entering the canyon, the wadi widens. We were impressed by the beautiful reddish-dark red veined rock.

Then we descended into the Red Canyon itself. We repeatedly encountered steel clamps and ropes, which made the descent easier. Generally speaking, you don’t need any special fitness for the trail—the path is quite easy to follow. It was so quiet around us that we felt a little lost. The sun occasionally made its way through the gorge and the canyon, allowing us to take some truly beautiful snapshots.

200 meters through the gorge in Wadi Shani

We even tried flying the drone. Unfortunately, it couldn’t cope with the high rock walls and the signal, so we had to abort the flight. As we approached the end of the canyon, we heard more and more voices. Little by little, other visitors followed us, and the number grew by the minute. An entire school class even came around the corner, which, of course, slightly ruined the idyll. But you can’t blame anyone. The scenery is a must-see.

The path through the canyon is only about 200 meters long, but it’s absolutely worth it! At the end, the river valley widens, where the black-and-white marked route is located. We later hiked this exact route back to the parking lot. This does not run through the canyon but above it, so you have a beautiful view of it.

A trip to the Red Canyon must be especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset, when the rocks and stones are colored in beautiful red and orange tones. The desert landscape with its many unique rock formations is simply magnificent and more than worth seeing. After about two hours, we ended our trip to the Red Canyon and continued by car across the Negev Desert. Numerous other highlights awaited us that day, which you can read about in the following posts.

Tips for your trip to the Red Canyon Israel

Wear sturdy shoes
Don’t forget sunscreen
Bring plenty of water with you
Do not leave valuables in the car if possible
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours
Use the lower parking lot after the gravel road
Visit the canyon as early as possible
More visitors arrive after 10 a.m.
Do not leave any trash lying around
No Make an open fire
You are not allowed to spend the night there
Avoid the canyon at all costs during high tides and heavy rain
Admission: free

Getting to the Red Canyon in Israel

From Eilat, you can drive there yourself or take a guided tour (e.g., Abraham Tours, Tourist Israel). This costs around €15 per person and can be booked online in advance. We found the tour without a guide to be really safe. If you’re already on your way from Eilat towards Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, you should definitely stop at and in the Red Canyon.

There’s also a circular tour through the southern Wadi Shani with a return trip through the Red Canyon. However, you’ll need to allow much more time for this and check the route carefully on the sign at the parking lot. There are other diverse hiking trails around the Red Canyon. You can find more information about hiking in Israel here.